The fiery hooker first played for the Boks in 2007 and was named vice-captain ahead of the England series in 2012. Du Plessis, who was also a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup winning squad, is one of the most feared hookers in the game in recent seasons. He is exceptionally strong with ball in hand and superb on the ground, where he regularly wins turnovers for his team. Du Plessis missed almost the entire Castle Rugby Championships and the Castle Outgoing Tour in 2012 because of a serious knee injury.

Position: Hooker
Province: KwaZulu-Natal (2007)
Springbok number: 787
Test debut: 7 July 2007 vs Australia in Sydney aged 23
Total tests: 70
Tour matches: 2
Total Springbok matches: 72
Win ratio: 51-18-1
Honours: SA Rugby Player of the Year nominee (2008, 2011).
Brother of Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis, with whom he holds the Springbok record for most Tests with a brother (42).
He also holds the record for the Test tries by a Springbok hooker (9).